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CNN Live At Daybreak

Illusionist David Blaine Finishes What He Started

Aired October 20, 2003 - 05:21   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It may have been his most ambitious and pointless stunt yet, but illusionist David Blaine finished what he started. Forty-four days after being lifted high above the River Thames, he finally comes down without a thud.
Robin Kernow (ph) reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROBYN CURNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He's waited 44 days for this and so has the crowd. David Blaine eventually coming down from his self-imposed hunger strike in a box by London's River Thames. Starving, weak and emotional, but the publicity loving illusionist still strong enough to face the cameras and his fans.

DAVID BLAINE, ILLUSIONIST: And to the fans, I had the most important experiences in my life.

CURNOW: Thousands of Londoners coming to see him to the end. Much support, even though he's been bombarded with paint balls, eggs and a lot of abuse over the past six weeks.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think he's inspirational for going without food for 44 days. I think he's good.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Amazing. There's no other words for it. And what's next? That's what I'd like to know, what's next? What's he got next?

CURNOW: Next up for Blaine, putting on some of the weight he's lost. The scales say he's nearly 25 kilograms lighter than when he entered the box. But nourishing himself too quickly could send his body into shock.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If he has been starving and he sits down and eats a hamburger and chips, that could actually kill him.

CURNOW: So he'll be spending some time in hospital, where he says doctors will slowly refeed him.

(on camera): David Blaine might be out of his box, but he's not out of danger. Doctors will be closely monitoring his health in the weeks to come.

Robyn Curnow, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE) TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired October 20, 2003 - 05:21   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It may have been his most ambitious and pointless stunt yet, but illusionist David Blaine finished what he started. Forty-four days after being lifted high above the River Thames, he finally comes down without a thud.
Robin Kernow (ph) reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROBYN CURNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He's waited 44 days for this and so has the crowd. David Blaine eventually coming down from his self-imposed hunger strike in a box by London's River Thames. Starving, weak and emotional, but the publicity loving illusionist still strong enough to face the cameras and his fans.

DAVID BLAINE, ILLUSIONIST: And to the fans, I had the most important experiences in my life.

CURNOW: Thousands of Londoners coming to see him to the end. Much support, even though he's been bombarded with paint balls, eggs and a lot of abuse over the past six weeks.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think he's inspirational for going without food for 44 days. I think he's good.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Amazing. There's no other words for it. And what's next? That's what I'd like to know, what's next? What's he got next?

CURNOW: Next up for Blaine, putting on some of the weight he's lost. The scales say he's nearly 25 kilograms lighter than when he entered the box. But nourishing himself too quickly could send his body into shock.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If he has been starving and he sits down and eats a hamburger and chips, that could actually kill him.

CURNOW: So he'll be spending some time in hospital, where he says doctors will slowly refeed him.

(on camera): David Blaine might be out of his box, but he's not out of danger. Doctors will be closely monitoring his health in the weeks to come.

Robyn Curnow, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE) TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com